"Thank you very much, Champion Alder. Then I'll thank you on Theo's behalf. When I challenged you a few days ago, I may have spoken a bit harshly, so please don't take it to heart."
Cynthia forced out a slightly embarrassed smile, sincerely thanked Alder, and bowed once more.
"Haha, no, no, don't do that, Champion Cynthia. I'm really not used to seeing you like this. Larvesta is my favorite Pokémon. Being able to see such a little one with limitless potential complete its transformation makes me happier than anyone else.
Alright, let's leave it here for now. Hurry and send the materials to the kid. Don't keep him waiting too long."
After hanging up, Professor Juniper immediately forwarded Alder's materials to Cynthia. At the same time, she looked at Cynthia with a playful expression and said teasingly:
"Hurry up and send the materials to your little boyfriend. Don't let him wait too long."
"What little boyfriend? What nonsense are you talking about? Seriously! We're just ordinary friends!"
Cynthia's face instantly flushed red after hearing Juniper's words.
"Yes, yes, I know, just ordinary friends."
Juniper deliberately stretched out her tone, the mischievous smile at the corner of her lips impossible to hide.
"Ordinary friends who can chat endlessly while holding their phones. Ordinary friends who smile brightly because of a single sentence from the other person, and get so worked up when the other person teases them. I've never seen you show so many expressions when talking to anyone else, Cynthia."
Juniper deliberately leaned closer and nudged Cynthia with her shoulder.
"And just now, you even specifically apologized to Alder. That soft tone of yours was nothing like the decisive Champion Cynthia I know. Right, Garchomp?"
Standing nearby, Garchomp had been idly poking at the gravel on the ground with its claws. Suddenly being addressed, it nodded absentmindedly.
It did not understand the complexities of human emotions. It only knew that when the knowledgeable Professor Juniper asked a question, nodding was usually the safest choice.
"You're joining in on this too!"
Cynthia's cheeks turned even redder as she raised her small fist and lightly punched Garchomp.
Caught off guard, Garchomp stumbled back several steps, tilting its head and looking at Cynthia with a wronged expression. It clearly had no idea what it had done wrong to make its Trainer angry.
Still not satisfied after hitting Garchomp, Cynthia turned and lunged toward Juniper. The two girls began playfully wrestling in the dim cave.
"Hahaha, stop it, Cynthia, I'm ticklish… ah, be gentle, not there!"
Juniper laughed as she dodged, accidentally bumping into the rock wall behind her with a dull thud.
After playing around for quite a while, Cynthia finally stopped, her face still slightly flushed. She quickly sent the materials to Theo while opening a video call and carefully explaining the key points Alder had mentioned:
"Don't worry. Alder said Larvesta isn't in any serious danger. Just pay attention to…"
"Thank you so much for your help, Sister Cynthia."
Theo's voice carried clear gratitude.
"Alright, alright, no need to be so polite. Go keep an eye on Larvesta. No need to thank me."
After saying that, Cynthia hurriedly hung up, though the faint blush on her ears had yet to fade.
"Ohhhh, 'Alright, alright, no need to thank me. Go take care of Larvesta'…"
Juniper immediately pinched her voice and mimicked Cynthia perfectly.
Cynthia puffed up her cheeks and glared at her angrily.
Seeing her Trainer in that state, Garchomp quickly moved aside, afraid of being dragged into trouble again.
Noticing its timid reaction, Cynthia could not help but laugh, then immediately pounced on Juniper again.
"How dare you imitate me! Let's see how I deal with you!"
The cave once again filled with Juniper's laughter and mock cries for mercy.
The strange patterns carved into the rock walls stood quietly in the faint glow after the phone screen dimmed, as if witnessing this rare moment of lightheartedness.
(TN: Damn, I was hoping for Professor Juniper pairing personally.)
Meanwhile, on the cliff of Izabe Island, Theo was carefully studying the materials Cynthia had sent.
The document detailed Alder's notes on Larvesta's "Cocoon of Fire" state, along with key points about its nirvana-like evolution and various precautions.
"It needs a volcanic eruption to help… that's a bit dangerous…"
Theo frowned slightly.
When Larvesta's mother evolved, there had been Victini to suppress the volcanic energy. But now, without such a legendary Pokémon, triggering an eruption recklessly could easily lead to something going out of control.
It seemed he would have to ask the League for help. Steven or Wallace might have a way to coordinate things.
Just as Theo was thinking about who to contact first, his phone suddenly vibrated. The name "Professor Birch" appeared on the screen.
"Theo! I heard your Larvesta has formed a cocoon and needs a volcanic eruption to evolve?"
As soon as the call connected, Professor Birch's round face filled the screen, his tone full of excitement.
"Champion Cynthia just told me! You're on Izabe Island, right? She was worried you wouldn't be able to find a suitable volcano, so she asked me to help."
Theo suddenly understood, warmth rising in his heart.
"So it was Sister Cynthia who told you. Thank you so much for the trouble."
"What trouble!"
Professor Birch waved his hand.
"Quick, let me take a look at that cocoon! I want to compare it with the materials Cynthia sent and see what's different in reality."
Theo immediately turned the camera toward the crimson cocoon. Under the sunlight, the dark red surface emitted a faint glow. The patterns on it had become clearer than when it first formed, resembling veins of solidified magma.
"Tsk tsk, such a large insect cocoon. Fire-type and Bug-type, two opposing attributes, and yet it can form a cocoon like this. That's really rare."
Professor Birch stroked his beard thoughtfully.
"It's a bit similar to the cocoons formed after Wurmple evolves, like Silcoon or Cascoon, but this size is on a completely different level…"
Before Professor Birch could finish speaking, another head suddenly squeezed into the frame.
Short grayish-yellow hair, a square face, thick eyebrows, bright eyes, and a hearty smile.
Even though Theo had never seen him in this world, he recognized the man instantly from his previous life.
Hello! I am Professor Oak, welcome to the world of Pokémon!
These three are the starter Pokémon of the Kanto region: Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle.
Choose one. It will become your partner on your adventure!
"How interesting, how interesting!"
Professor Oak's voice was loud and energetic. He patted Professor Birch on the shoulder and said:
"Birch, why don't we go take a look? Such a rare Pokémon form would be a shame to miss. Shall we go?"
Without waiting for Birch to answer, he turned to Theo, his smile especially warm and friendly.
"Oh, I forgot to introduce myself! Theo, hello. I'm Samuel Oak, a Pokémon researcher from Pallet Town.
I'm currently working with Birch on a Mega Evolution experiment involving another form of Charizard. We just finished. Would you mind if we came over to take a look at your Larvesta? I'm extremely curious about its method of evolution!"
(End of Chapter)